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Master of Arts Program

The department offers programs of study leading to the Master of Arts degree in political science and the Master of Arts degree in public administration. For more information about the Master of Arts degree in public administration, click here. Course offering in political science cover the following general topics: american politics, public policy, public administration, public law, political theory, and research methods.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the college graduate admission requirements, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements for unconditional admission to the Master of Arts in Political Science program:

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, at least a 3.00 grade point average (A=4.00) in the most recent 60 semester hours of undergraduate or graduate courses and have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). An equivalent such as the LSAT may be substituted with permission of the graduate director.

Students may be admitted conditionally without the GRE, but it must be taken before 12 hours of course work are completed. Students fulfilling the English proficiency requirements with the TOEFL are required to score 580 or better. Applicants should also submit two letters of recommendation, preferably from professors directly familiar with their academic work. The letters whould be sent directly to the graduate director. Applications and materials are due by July 1st for the Fall semester.

Degree Requirements

In addition to meeting the college master's degree requirements, applicants must complete the following minimum requirements for the Master of Arts in Political Science program:

Plan I Program Requirements (Thesis Option)

Requirements	Hours
Political Science courses:
At least 9 hours of course work in one area of study	9
POLS 6380	3
Approved electives (with the approval of the graduate director, 6 hours may be taken outside the department)	12
POLS 6399:7399 Master's Thesis	6
Total	30

Students are also required to successfully defend the thesis, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above.

Plan II Program Requirements (Nonthesis Option)

Requirements	Hours
Political Science courses:
At least 9 hours of course work in one area of study	9
POLS 6380	3
Approved electives (with the approval of the graduate director, 6 hours may be taken outside the department)	21
POLS 6359; Bibliographic Essay	3
Total	36

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above.